Introduction You see them everywhere: on restaurant menus, product packages, advertisements, and even parking meters. Those square patterns made of black and white boxes are called QR codes. But what exactly are they, and how do you read them? A QR code scanner is a tool—usually built into your smartphone camera—that reads these square patterns and converts them into information you can use. That information might be a website link, contact details, WiFi password, or payment information. This guide explains everything you need to know about scanning QR codes: what they are, how they work, when to use them, how to stay safe, and how to solve common problems. What Is a QR Code? QR stands for "Quick Response." A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode—a square pattern made up of smaller black and white squares that stores information. Unlike traditional barcodes (the striped patterns on products), QR codes can hold much more data and can be scanned from any angle. The Parts of a ...